 Imagine
this: Every graphics, painting, or image editing package, that you have
ever seen rolled into one integrated, well developed streamlined package.
This mythical program is called Ulead PhotoImpact with Web Extensions 3.01
and is available in stores now.
This program, contains several useful utilities, all tighly integrated in a simple, easy to use format. The evaluation copy from Ulead came with nothing more the a specification sheet, but really needed nothing more. Installation was a snap taking less than 10 minutes. It allowed you to select from a CD-ROM installation requiring only 4 megabytes of hard drive space, to a 25 megabyte default installation, all the up to a 60 megabyte full installation. Besides the aforementioned hard drive space, it requires only a 486 PC (a Pentium would be better) with Microsoft Windows 95 or Windows NT 3.51 or 4.0. You'll need 8 megabytes of RAM to run it, and a CD-Rom drive. A 256 color display adapter is needed, along with a windows pointing device. This reviewer is fortunate enought to have a Pentium 90 with 32 megabytes of RAM, a gigabyte or two of Hard Drive space to spare, a True Color (32-bit) graphics adapter, and Windows 95 to make it all the more interesting. A color printer, Snappy (a wonderful video grabber), or a TWAIN compatable scanner just sweetens the deal. Enough already! Get on with it! Here's what I'm talking about. This program has about every tool on earth in it's full featured editor which suports Adobe Photoshop plug-ins such as Kai's Power Tools. The actual PhotoImpact editor allows you to do standard image editing, plus semi-3D textured text, warping so you can deform those closest to you, and an album of effects that supports drag and drop filters and special effects. You can also add favorite images and custom effects to a personal album for use later. This editor is by far the best around for general effects. Also, it has a image browser modeled after Windows 95 Explorer, an image viewer, a Photo-CD browser, a screen capture utility, and a handy quick acess toolbar to give you instant access to any of these lovely programs. Recently, Ulead has added it's new Web Extensions. It lets you make buttons out of any image, make custom backgrounds, and a ton of other effects. One of the biggest perks is it's GIF and JPEG Saver which allows to compact your internet images into tiny files. Most internet service providers only allow five megabytes or less to store your web site, so this becomes an indispensable tool. All in all, anyone who deals with computer images regularly will benifit greatly from this great software package. The retail version sells for about $100 on the street, but at Comp-USA, Alamo PC members can get it for about $85.00. Want more information? We can't put all of the great features in print, so try these Ulead resources. Surf over to HTTP:/www.ulead.com, or call (310) 523-9393, or Snail-Mail Ulead at 9770 W. 190th Street, Ste. 520, Torrance, CA, 90502, or E-mail mkt@ulead.com. Still have questions? E-mail me at omniguru@txdirect.net and I'll be glad to try and help. Jason Potterff is a student at Communications Arts High School. When he is not taking advantage of their great curriculum, he is publishing Web sites for the school and school district. In his spare time, he fixes computers and helps people out while constantly searching for ways to support his computing habit. |